Montana, Sept. 16, 2104

Ken has done just about all of the driving. I knew I would have difficult time going through Glacier Park, so he was rewarded with a token of my deep appreciation of doing all the driving and getting us to the other side of the mountains.

 Left Whitefish at a leisurely time, knowing we only had a short distance to our next check in. We decided to go to Bigfork, and not take the highway. Good choice. Again, the scenery is just incredible. We have watched these mountains for days, first on one side and then on the other. The west side has a lot more humidity, so it looked hazy today. It got up in the mid 70's and was just a perfect day for Bigfork.

We parked on Electric Avenue (yes that is the name of the main street in Bigfork) and headed down this little alley. Found it very interesting that there are almost as many businesses in these alleys as there are on the street. We chatted with a couple of guys in the real estate office, and had a wonderful conversation about the area. Granted, they were from the area, and had a business in the area, but Bigfork would be a wonderful place to live.

They have a beautiful Performing Arts Center that draws many famous entertainers and actors. Next week, the Children's theater is putting on Peter Pan. Would love to have seen it.  I also got a big kick out of the gator parked in front of the theater. Kind of made me feel like we were home.

They have great signs for their town, and we were invited to return at Christmas town to see the Norman Rockwell setting. They have garland, and lights, and lots of spirit for a small town. At the visitors center we were told that year round residents is around 2400, but swells to over 10,000 in the summer.

Nice main street, lots of artists, and apparently a place that famous people like to visit, as it is quiet but has it all.

Ken might have a job here?

Julie might have found a patient that needs some advice?

After stopping at the visitors' center, we headed down the east shore of Flathead Lake, the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi. It even has it's own brewery, and of course, we visited that, too. Ken had the Centennial IPA, and I had a nitro infused Imperial IPA. Awesome! No other words are needed.

They do the brewing right behind the window and also serve up a great lunch. I had a fantastic fresh green salad that was delicious.

Tried to capture the size of the lake, but you can see it was hazy, so can't really grasp the depth of the shot. The lake is 30 miles long by 16 miles wide. The lake covers over 190 square miles! I dare say it is bigger than some of our little towns.

As we left out hotel to head into Kalispell to find some supper, this is the view as we leave the parking lot. I jut don't know what it is, but these mountains pull me. I am in awe as I look, in just about every direction, and see them. We follow them, day after day, thinking we are catching up to them, only to find that is not possible. Guess I will just have to keep chasing.

Brannigan's for dinner, and some fairly local brews. I had a Blackfoot IPA that was brewed in Washington. Very flavorful, and I would say, unfiltered. Ken had and Irish red that was specially brewed for Brannigans. Good beer, good food, got to eat on the patio. It is a warm evening here, still in the 60's, just doesn't get much better than this.

We noticed as we entered Kalispell, and again when we left, driving on the main street, Sunset Blvd, that instead of a round about, they have the court house. Yup, right in the middle of the street, so you have to go around it not matter which way you are traveling. Interesting.

Back in our room, tired from exploring. We grabbed a couple of fresh cookies from the lobby and will celebrate with a glass of milk. Another wonderful day traveling in Montana. Bigfork would be a wonderful place to relocate to, but it doesn't have the friends and family of home. However, I think it would be a wonderful place to visit again.